An axe-wielding teen who robbed an Aberdeen newsagent celebrated as he left court – despite not having been sentenced yet.
Jay Jamieson brandished a “large axe” at the terrified shop worker at Jolly Stores on Springhill Road and threatened to “chop” him before fleeing with just over £300.
But the 19-year-old was caught just minutes later as officers spotted him running along a nearby road and deployed a police dog, leading to a swift surrender.
And Jamieson then confessed to the officers that he had “done something stupid” and told them the cash was stashed in a nearby bush.
The sentence was deferred on Jamieson while reports are prepared, something which appeared to delight the robber as he celebrated on leaving the building.
Fiscal depute Lucy Simpson told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the incident happened at around 12pm on Sunday, December 12 2021.
She said a member of staff saw Jamieson enter and so walked behind the till.
She said: “When he looked up, he saw the accused standing on the opposite side of the counter.
“The accused was holding a large axe.
“He held this at stomach height towards the witness.
“The accused leaned over the counter. He threatened the witness, advising that he would ‘chop’ him if he did not empty the till.”
At first, the shop worker tried to tell Jamieson there was little money in the till, but the teen brandished the frightening weapon and continued to threaten to harm him with it.
Ms Simpson said: “Due to fear of what the accused might do, the witness opened the till and provided the accused with all the notes within.
‘I tried to rob the store’
“The accused stuffed the notes within his jacket pocket before fleeing.”
The member of staff then immediately phoned the police and, after checking the till, was able to calculate £305 was missing.
Ms Simpson told the court: “Approximately 10 minutes later, police officers observed the accused running along a nearby road.
“A police dog was deployed and the accused surrendered.
“He intimated to the police that he had ‘done something stupid’.”
The axe was recovered from the ground directly behind Jamieson, who, while being searched, said: “I tried to rob the store. The money is in a bush by the school there.”
‘Yes! Come on!’
He was taken to Kittybrewster station where, despite his claim about the bush, he was found to be in possession of £305, which was then seized.
He made a full confession during an interview.
Jamieson, of Glenbervie Road, Aberdeen, pled guilty to assault and robbery.
Sheriff Ian Wallace deferred the sentence for the preparation of background reports.
Defence agent Chris Maitland reserved mitigation until the sentencing hearing.
As Jamieson left the court building he was seen to celebrate excitedly and exclaimed: “Yes! Come on!”
Due to an error on court papers, an earlier version of this story contained the incorrect street name for Jamieson. It has now been amended.
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